The Flagler County Commission Monday evening rejected a settlement agreement recommended by its own attorney to end the four-year-old dispute with a developer who wants to build a restaurant and 204-boat dry-storage facility in the Scenic A1A corridor. What would be called Hammock Harbor is a planned dry-storage marina, or warehouse, as the developer himself had described it in an early building plan, and as its opponents still describe it. A lawsuit by the developer is likely.
All Else
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, November 19, 2024
A day of swearings-in at the Palm Coast City Council, the County Commission and the School Board, a Fall Horticultural Workshops at the Palm Coast Community Center, Colleen Conklin’s last interview, Geoffrey Ward’s “Tiger in the Road.”
One More Delusion: Trump Thinks He Can Solve the Middle East.
Donald Trump has promised to end all wars. In his usual impulsive and unpredictable manner, he has pledged to resolve the Ukraine war within 24 hours of taking office and help Israel finish its Gaza and Lebanon operations quickly. Yet the Middle East is a complex place. Given the absence of a Gaza ceasefire, the thin hope of a halt to the Lebanon fighting, Netanyahu’s intransigence and Trump’s pursuance of an “Israel first” policy, the Middle East’s volatility is likely to persist.
Veranda Bay Developer Lowers Total to 2,400 Housing Units, from 2,735, as Flagler Beach Weighs Annexation
The developer of Veranda Bay is willing to lower the number of housing units to be built, from 2,735 to 2,400. It’s still a distance from where two Flagler Beach city commissioners want the number: from 1,800 to the “lower end of 2,000.” But it’s not an unbridgeable divide between the city and the developer, who is also willing to increase commercial acreage to 600,000 square feet.
Joe Mullins, Disgraced in Flagler County, Declares Run for Waltz’s Congressional Seat
Joe Mullins, the former Flagler County Commissioner disgraced out of office two years ago after recurring scandals and outrageous behavior, including belligerently trying to get out of a traffic stop by telling a cop that he ran Flagler County, announced on Friday that he will run for the congressional seat Rep. Mike Waltz is vacating to join Donald Trump’s cabinet as national security adviser.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, November 18, 2024
The Flagler County Commission meets in workshop to discuss the case of developer Mark Langello’s impact fees, the Land Acquisition Committee meets, ghost guns and an epidemic of violence.
The Taliban’s Violent Erasure of Women Through Its ‘Vice and Virtue’ Law
A newly passed “vice and virtue” law is among the most repressive and discriminatory measures ever enacted by the Taliban, an Islamist fundamentalist group controlling Afghanistan. The new law seeks to completely silence women in public. They are prohibited from speaking, singing or praying aloud. The law also attempts to literally erase them from view, ordering women to cover every part of their body and face in public.
Florida Universities Are Cutting Ties to 7 ‘Countries of Concern’
The state university system’s Board of Governors next week is scheduled to receive a report about the law, which targeted ties to China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, Venezuela and Syria. The law, in part, largely prevented state universities and colleges from participating in agreements or partnerships with schools based in the countries of concern.
Where Florida Went, The Nation Is About to Follow
Goodbye to America defining itself as a Beacon of Hope, the Light of Freedom, or any of that other stuff they told you in 3rd grade: the rule of law, checks and balances, free speech, science-based health care, and son on: we saw it all in Florida. It was just prelude.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, November 17, 2024
Jake’s Women at City Repertory Theatre, a final matinee, the Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, John Oliver on the West Bank, and a look at “Welcome To Hell,” a report on the abuse and inhuman treatment of Palestinians held in Israeli custody.
Sewage and Fertilizer Threaten Florida Manatee’s Main Food Source, and Survival
Research shows manatees are eating less seagrass – traditionally their primary food source – and more algae than in decades past. This change occurred along Florida’s Atlantic coast during a period of extensive seagrass decline. This represents an emerging threat to the species’ survival.
Immunized Against Science: What Robert Kennedy Jr. as Health Chief Would Mean
Many scientists at the federal health agencies await the second Donald Trump administration with dread as well as uncertainty over how the president-elect will reconcile starkly different philosophies among the leaders of his team. Should Kennedy win Senate confirmation, his critics say a radical antiestablishment medical movement with roots in past centuries would take power, threatening the achievements of a science-based public health order painstakingly built since World War II.
House Speaker Opposed to Releasing Matt Gaetz Ethics Report on Alleged Sexual Misconduct
The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives is trying to put the brakes on a document that could harm Donald Trump’s pick for Attorney General by preventing a report on Matt gaetz’s alleged sexual misconduct from being released to the Senate. before Gaetz’s confirmation hearing.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, November 16, 2024
Coffee With Commissioner Scott Spradley, “Jake’s Women,” the Neil Simon play, at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre, Celine Dion singing Piaf at the Olympics: a rewind.
How Polls Did This Time
Polls’ collective performance, while not stellar, was improved from that of four years earlier. Overall, polls signaled a close outcome in the race between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. That is what the election produced: a modest win for Trump. Trump had received 50.1% of the popular vote to Harris’ 48.1%, a difference of 2 points. That margin was closer than Joe Biden’s win by 4.5 points over Trump in 2020. It was closer than Hillary Clinton’s popular vote victory in 2016.
Moby-Dick, The Book for Our Times
We can’t afford permanent enmity or exile from each other. Secession and civil war might be a nice distraction but consumer splurging suggests that’s not in the cards. So for all of us grass-leaved Americans, “Moby-Dick” is the book for us, in this moment, in this whale of whiteness delirium. “Moby-Dick” is our book of revelation.
Palm Coast Hosts Countywide Capital Improvement Project Summit
The City of Palm Coast today hosted the fourth annual Countywide Capital Improvement Project Summit, uniting leaders from Flagler County, the cities of Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, and the town of Beverly Beach. The meeting took place at Palm Coast City Hall in the Community Wing.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, November 15, 2024
David Alfin on Free For All, unemployment numbers are released, “Jake’s Women” at City Rep Theatre, Keep the Holiday Lights On fund-raiser, 988 Suicide Prevention Walk, and where Trump meets Mickey Sabbath.
Federal Judge Bans 10 Commandments from Classrooms
Do the Ten Commandments have a valid place in U.S. classrooms? Louisiana’s Legislature and governor insist the answer is “yes.” But on Nov. 12, 2024, a federal judge said “no.” Litigation over the Ten Commandments is not new. More than 40 years ago, in Stone v. Graham, the Supreme Court rejected a Kentucky statute that mandated displays of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.
Florida Supreme Court Lets Stand Lower Court Ruling on Granting Early Release to Some Sex Offenders
After hearing arguments last year, the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday said it would not rule in a dispute about whether a man convicted of attempted sexual battery on a child is eligible to be considered for early release from prison.
Palm Coast Developers Will Pay Public Arts Fee on Projects Above $1 Million, But Spending Is Unclear
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday approved imposing a 0.5 percent fee on all commercial projects in the city with a value of $1 million or more. The city will use parts of the money to fund its long-standing cultural arts grants, but it’s unclear how else it will use the money. It would largely be the purview of the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, with a more specific policy to come to set out spending and installation criteria.
Trump Taps Matt Gaetz for Attorney General; Democratic Leader Calls It ‘Beyond Catastrophic for the Country’
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican who in recent years has become a national political lightning rod, was picked Wednesday by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as U.S. attorney general. Trump’s announcement that he is nominating Gaetz to lead the Department of Justice came shortly after he confirmed that U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., is his choice for secretary of state.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, November 14, 2024
Evenings at Whitney Lecture Series: Steven Noll on the relationship of Floridians and manatees in historical perspective, the Flagler Beach City Commission meets, reflections on not reading the press.
It’s an Election Victory. It’s Not a New Era.
Despite the lessons of this history, a new round of doomsayers are ready to write the Democrats’ obituary in 2024. According to one journalist, “Democrats are a lost party. Come January, they’ll have scant power in the federal government, and shriveling clout in the courts and states.” But it’s easy to overstate the enduring impact of an election. Unforeseen events arise that alter the political landscape in unpredictable ways. The party in power often makes mistakes. New candidates emerge to energize and inspire the defeated party.
Senate Republicans Reject Rick Scott in Favor of John Thune of South Dakota as Majority Leader
U.S. Senate Republicans on Wednesday elected South Dakota Sen. John Thune as that chamber’s next majority leader during a closed-door, secret ballot election. When Thune takes over in January, it will mark the first time since 2007 that Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell hasn’t held the top GOP slot after choosing to retire from leadership. Thune defeated Texas Sen. John Cornyn and Florida Sen. Rick Scott during the vote.
8 Arrested, 3 from Flagler, in Sting Operation Targeting Men Soliciting Minors on Web
The Flagler County Sheriff today announced the arrest of eight men as a result of a four-month-long undercover sting, Operation Heartbreaker 2, focused on adults trying to solicit underage children for sexual encounters. The initial undercover operation was conducted from July 11 to July 14 but the investigation continued for 4 months and focused on individuals that were identified chatting online trying to solicit undercover agents they thought were juvenile females for sex.
Council Rejects Naming Palm Coast Community Center for Jon Netts in Striking Snub of Major Legacy
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday rejected a long-standing proposal to rename the Palm Coast Community Center for Jon Netts, a former mayor and City Council member whose 15-year tenure in city government shaped Palm Coast more than any other elected official in the city’s history.
He Served 5 Years in Prison for Robbing the Flagler Beach Publix. On Tuesday, He Tried Robbing It Again.
Daniel J. Fountain, a 57-year-old resident of Flagler Beach who served five years in prison for armed robbery of the Flagler Beach Publix, was arrested on a robbery charge stemming from his alleged attempt again to rob the same store on Tuesday. He was still on probation for the 2015 robbery.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Weekly Chess Club for Teens, Separation Chat, Remembering Frederic Jameson and a few difficult memories about The Political Unconscious.
Israel’s Destruction of Gaza Heritage Sites Aimes to Erase and Replace Palestine’s History
Cultural property has been a target of the Israeli offensive since the beginning of the conflict and, as early as November, the devastation of the cities of northern Gaza far exceeded that caused in the infamous bombing of Dresden in 1945. There are at least 130 sites in Gaza that Israel, as an occupying power, is obligated to protect under international law along with the rest of the area’s cultural and natural heritage. As of 17 September 2024, UNESCO has verified damage to 69 sites.
Trump Readies Mass Deportations with Noem Pick at Homeland Security
President-elect Donald Trump is set to nominate South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem to lead the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which will carry out Trump’s plan to conduct mass deportations of millions of people in the country without proper legal status.
Senate Appointment and Special Election in Flagler to fill Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz Seats
Rubio’s selection as secretary of state in Trump’s administration would lead to a closely watched decision by DeSantis about appointing a U.S. senator for a term that would last until the 2026 election. Also, a special election will be needed to choose a replacement for Mike Waltz in Congressional District 6, which is made up of all or parts of Flagler, Lake, Marion, Putnam, St. Johns and Volusia Counties.
In a First, Palm Coast Council Censures an Absent Ed Danko Over ‘Disconcerting’ Behavior
In an unprecedented motion in the city’s 25 years, the Palm Coast City Council today censured Council member Ed Danko in a 3-1 vote, in his absence, in a rebuke of his perceived role against the city in a lawsuit and of his loutish behavior in his years on the council.
The Live Profile
Belfast Fire: The Colleen Conklin You Never Knew
When Colleen Conklin is celebrated as she leaves 24 years of service on the Flagler County School Board, the focus will be on those 24 years. But where had she come from, and what made her who she was? Here’s the story of the Colleen Conklin who grew up in back of her parents’ bars, the Conklin who drove trucks, started her teaching career in the South Bronx, founded human rights chapters, conquered learning obstacles all the way to a doctorate but also nearly dropped out of college in favor of a career in insurance.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, November 12, 2024
Veteran Resource Fair at the Flagler County Public Library, Tyrese Patterson in court (sort of), the pre-election Palm Coast City Council’s last meeting, the Community Traffic Safety Team meets, Google’s fabulous translation app.
Gaza Fallout: Arab American Voter Likely Tipped Michigan to Trump
Michigan has the largest population of Arabs, Muslims and Palestinians in the United States, currently numbering more than 200,000. Back during the primary in February 2024, a group called Listen to Michigan organized the uncommitted campaign in the state, promoting it as a way to express dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s support of Israel’s actions in its conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Rotary Club of Flagler County Hosts 988 Suicide Awareness Walk Nov. 15
The Rotary Club of Flagler County is hosting a 988 Suicide Awareness Walk on Nov. 15 in Palm Coast. The walk will promote the 988 National Suicide & Crisis Hotline, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources. The event aims to bring awareness to mental health issues in Flagler County.
Alan Lowe Drops Lawsuit Against Palm Coast in Debt Referendum
Alan Lowe, the former candidate for mayor who sued the Palm Coast City Council over the proposed ballot referendum to loose the city’s restrictions on borrowing and leasing, dropped his lawsuit the day after the Nov. 5 election, which saw the ballot measure decisively defeated.
A Mile-Long Veterans Day Parade of 1,000 Participants Unites Flagler’s Cities, County and Schools in Salute
After a Veterans Day parade of more than 1,000 participants representing all cities, the county and the School Board, among others, ambled through Bunnell in a mile-long procession, hundreds of people gathered at the Government Services building for the day’s ceremonies, including a Veteran Day essay by middle schooler Mellissa Ryon, a keynote speech by Randall Stapleford, and musical performances.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, November 11, 2024
Joint Veterans Day Ceremony and Parade in Bunnell, the reading habits of Americans, Michel Houellebecq on literature, a Latvian cartoonist heads for the American cloud.
Recreational Pot Hits Red Wall in Florida, North and South Dakota
The cannabis legalization movement’s primary obstacle is the “red wall,” the 20 states where Republicans have total control of state government and recreational cannabis remains illegal. Another four states without recreational legalization – Kansas, Wisconsin, Kentucky and North Carolina – could be described as “red wall adjacent.” These states have Democratic governors, but Republicans control the state legislatures.
Despite Trump’s Win, School Vouchers Were Again Rejected by Majorities of Voters
In several Republican-led states, popular sentiment on the voucher issue has been overridden by the efforts of special interest groups and powerful governors who have enacted sweeping voucher programs that often benefit affluent families.
Marco Rubio Pushes Rick Scott for Senate Majority Leader
Big news in the Senate leadership race on Sunday afternoon, as Marco Rubio is all in behind his Florida colleague in the latest sign of momentum. Scott continues to make his pitch to lead the Senate Majority, in a turn of events few foresaw when he got 10 votes in 2022 against outgoing GOP Leader Mitch McConnell.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, November 10, 2024
Clay Jones on knowing her place, Palm Coast Farmers’ Market, Jake’s Women, By Neil Simon, at City Rep Theatre, ‘No Sex Please, We’re British,’ at Daytona Playhouse, the Sursock Museum in Beirut.
Quincy Jones, Epic Transformer of America’s Sounds
Quincy Jones transformed our understanding of musical arrangement. His work spanned decades and genres, from jazz and pop to hip-hop and film scoring. He worked with pop icons like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, and also collaborated with lesser-known artists such as Lesley Gore and Tevin Campbell.
Federal Prosecutors Preparing to Drop Jan. 6 Case Against Trump
Special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor in the federal criminal cases against President-elect Donald Trump, asked a D.C. federal judge on Friday to suspend deadlines in the election interference case that centered on Trump’s supporters’ Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. To allow the government time to mull the “unprecedented circumstance” of a former president under indictment returning to the White House after Tuesday’s election, Smith’s team, writing in an unopposed motion to U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, called for upcoming deadlines in the case to be cleared.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, November 9, 2024
Palm Coast Fall Arts Festival in Central Park, Second Saturday Plant Sale at Washington Oaks Gardens, Jake’s Women, By Neil Simon, at City Rep Theatre, the Gamble Jam is back, a few good post-election covers, Johnny Cash and Gore Vidal on fascism.
Why So Many People Voted for Trump
For many people, especially those leaning left, Donald Trump’s disqualifications to be president seem obvious. Why did so many people vote for Trump again, they wonder, and how did he win not just the Electoral College vote this time but the popular vote as well?
Flagler and Gomorrah
The outcome of local elections will affect us at least as much as anything that happens nationally. With that in mind it’s worth taking stock of our local political landscape post-apocalypse, because it’s a whole lot better than Gomorrah and, ironically, almost entirely Republican.
Cheryl Andrews, Aide at Indian Trails Middle, Arrested on Charge of Child Abuse Against Disabled Student
Cheryl Ann Andrews, a 69-year-old paraprofessional, or teacher’s aide, at Indian Trail Middle School and a resident of Rolland Lane in Palm Coast, was arrested Thursday on a felony charge of child abuse after video footage appears to show her hitting a disabled student and briefly adding to the abuse.